Does Drinking Distilled Water Pull Minerals Out of Your Body?

January 3, 2026 •

4 min read

Many people believe that because distilled water lacks minerals, it will actively pull them from the body's tissues. This common belief, however, is a scientific misconception, leaving many to wonder: does drinking distilled water pull minerals out of your body? The answer is more nuanced than the myth suggests.

Quick Summary

Drinking distilled water does not actively leach minerals from your body's cells, contrary to a popular myth. A healthy diet is the primary source of minerals, so loss from mineral-free water is negligible for most people. The body's homeostatic mechanisms effectively regulate its mineral balance. This article explains the scientific facts behind the mineral myth.

Key Points

Myth Debunked: The idea that distilled water actively 'pulls' minerals from the body is a scientifically inaccurate misconception.
Diet is Key: The vast majority of minerals your body needs come from food, not water.
Homeostasis: The body has complex mechanisms to maintain mineral balance, preventing any significant depletion from drinking distilled water.
Electrolyte Risk: Exclusive, long-term reliance on distilled water, especially with a poor diet, could risk electrolyte imbalance, not mineral leaching.
Taste and Intake: The flat taste of distilled water, due to its lack of minerals, may cause some people to drink less and risk dehydration.
Safe for Specific Uses: Distilled water's purity makes it ideal for medical equipment, appliances, and specific cooking needs where mineral-free water is beneficial.

The Science Behind Distilled Water and Minerals

Distilled water is created through a process of boiling water and condensing the collected steam back into liquid form. This highly effective purification method removes most impurities, contaminants, and dissolved solids, including minerals like calcium, magnesium, and sodium. The resulting water is exceptionally pure, composed almost entirely of hydrogen and oxygen.

The long-standing myth that consuming this demineralized water will aggressively pull minerals from your body—specifically from bones and tissues—is based on a misunderstanding of how human physiology works. Your body is not a static sponge waiting to be leached by pure water. Instead, it is a complex, regulated system designed to maintain a stable internal environment, a process known as homeostasis. When you drink water, it immediately mixes with the contents of your stomach, which includes food, enzymes, and highly acidic gastric juices. By this point, the water is no longer pure H2O but has taken on some mineral content.

Where Your Body Gets Its Minerals

Your primary source of essential minerals, such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium, is your food—not your drinking water. Even mineral-rich water sources contain a relatively small amount of the minerals you need daily. For example, to get enough potassium from a well-known mineral water brand, one would need to drink an impossible volume of it. A healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole foods provides the necessary minerals for the body to function properly. The minerals stored in your bones are tightly bound within a crystalline structure (hydroxyapatite) and are not easily removed by simply drinking demineralized water.

Health Considerations Beyond the Myth

While the mineral-leaching myth is false, drinking distilled water exclusively does present some other considerations. The absence of minerals, while not leading to the mythical leaching effect, can impact other aspects of health and hydration.

Electrolyte Balance and Hydration

Electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, and calcium, are crucial for proper hydration and cell function. Because distilled water lacks these electrolytes, relying on it as a sole source of hydration, especially during intense physical activity or in hot weather, could potentially lead to an imbalance. For most healthy individuals with a balanced diet, this is not a concern, as lost electrolytes are replenished through food. However, for those with specific health conditions or poor dietary habits, mineral-rich water or electrolyte-fortified drinks may be a better option. The flat taste of distilled water, caused by the absence of minerals, may also deter some people from drinking enough, potentially leading to inadequate fluid intake.

The Impact of Cooking with Distilled Water

Using distilled water for cooking is also a common practice. Many chefs and home cooks use it to prevent mineral deposits in appliances and to avoid unwanted flavors in certain dishes like coffee, tea, and baked goods. The idea that it strips minerals from food is also a myth. When cooking with distilled water, some minerals may transfer from food to the water, but this is a normal part of the cooking process regardless of water type.

Distilled Water vs. Other Water Types: A Comparison

To better understand how distilled water stacks up against other common types, consider the following comparison table:


Feature	Distilled Water	Spring Water	Tap Water (General)
Purity	Extremely High; free of most contaminants, minerals, and chemicals.	High; naturally filtered through rocks and sand.	Varies by location; treated and regulated, but can contain trace contaminants and minerals.
Mineral Content	Virtually none; stripped during the distillation process.	Contains natural minerals like calcium and magnesium, enhancing flavor.	Contains varying levels of minerals depending on the source.
Taste	Often described as flat or bland due to lack of minerals.	Often preferred, with a crisp, natural taste.	Varies, can have a chemical or chlorine taste depending on municipal treatment.
Best for...	Medical devices (CPAP), appliances (irons), labs, cooking.	Daily drinking, hydration, and general consumption.	General home use; safe to drink in most areas, regulated by EPA.

Common Uses of Distilled Water

Distilled water's high purity makes it ideal for a variety of specific uses where mineral-free water is a necessity. These include:

Medical Applications: Used to sterilize medical equipment and in some medical procedures where sterile, pure water is required.
Laboratory Settings: Used in experiments and solutions to prevent interference from dissolved minerals.
Household Appliances: Recommended for steam irons, humidifiers, and vaporizers to prevent mineral scale buildup, extending the life of the appliance.
Automotive Systems: Used in car batteries and cooling systems to prevent corrosion and mineral deposits.
Home Brewing: Some brewers and coffee connoisseurs use it to ensure a clean, neutral base that allows the specific flavors of their ingredients to shine without mineral interference.

Conclusion

While the myth that drinking distilled water pulls minerals out of your body persists, the scientific consensus is clear: your body's complex and robust homeostatic system and dietary intake are responsible for maintaining your mineral balance. For most healthy individuals, drinking distilled water as part of a balanced diet poses no significant risk of mineral deficiency. The primary drawback is its flat taste and the lack of supplemental minerals that water naturally provides. Ultimately, the choice between distilled, tap, or mineral-rich water depends on individual health, diet, and taste preferences. As long as you maintain a nutritious diet, your body will get the minerals it needs, regardless of which type of water you choose to drink. If you have specific health concerns or a pre-existing mineral deficiency, it is always best to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice.

For more detailed information on hydration and nutrition, visit the National Institutes of Health website at www.nih.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

For healthy individuals with a balanced diet, drinking distilled water is not dangerous. The body effectively obtains and manages its mineral balance primarily through food intake.

The primary source of essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium is a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole foods.

Distilled water has a flat or bland taste because the distillation process removes all dissolved minerals and salts, which typically contribute to the flavor of tap or spring water.

Yes, distilled water is safe to use for cooking. It can prevent mineral deposits in appliances and is preferred by some for brewing coffee or tea to ensure a clean flavor.

While possible in extreme cases or with poor nutrition, drinking distilled water as part of a normal, balanced diet is unlikely to cause a significant electrolyte imbalance. Most electrolytes are replenished through food.

Distilled water is a type of purified water created specifically through boiling and condensation. Other purified waters, like those from reverse osmosis, may still contain some minerals, but distillation removes virtually all of them.

No, sailors who consume distilled water from treated seawater do not suffer from mineral deficiencies. Their diet is managed to ensure adequate mineral intake, and minor supplements are sometimes added back to the water.

Neither is universally 'better.' Distilled water offers purity from contaminants but lacks minerals. Tap water can offer some minerals but depends on local quality. The best choice depends on individual needs, taste preference, and local water quality concerns.